James Curtis Lofton

Retired high school football coach James Curtis Lofton of Gainesville, Ga., left this life on Jan. 1, 2015, he was 85. He had struggled with complications linked to congestive heart failure in recent months.

Called "Coach" by his wife, Ruby Jean, five sons, 24 grandchildren and many friends, Lofton had an exceptional coaching career that encompassed 39 years as head football coach and 255 wins. He was named high school coach of the year many times. He was also an English teacher for much of this time.

In 2010, Coach summarized the lessons of his nearly 50 years of coaching, during which he specialized in turning losing football teams into championship ones, in a privately published book titled "So You Think You Want To Coach." (This is available at www.coachlofton.com; the family welcomes comments and stories to be posted at this site, in anticipation of rounding out Lofton's second book, "Letters to Coach," which was in progress.)

The goal of the first book, he wrote, was "Helping development football coaches with a mission to turn boys into men that bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior by using the collective empowerment of teams, family and community."

Coach was born to James Euless and Vonnie Moore Lofton in Memphis, Tenn., on April 12, 1929. After high school, he spent three years as a private in the U.S. Army, including a stint in post-war Japan as a paratrooper. He then entered Auburn University on a football scholarship, where he roomed and played alongside Vince Dooley, who went on to a storied career as head football coach at the University of Georgia. In a forward to "So You Think You Want to Coach," Dooley wrote "I know of no one better qualified to write this sound game plan for a coaching career than my long-time good friend and former college team and roommate, Coach Jim Lofton."

Coach married Ruby Jean in 1952, the summer before his senior year at Auburn. Their five sons, Jim, Bill, Dick, Bob and John all played on Lofton's football teams, including one state championship team.

Coach began his career as the assistant football coach at North Fulton High School in Atlanta in 1954. He went on to be head football coach, with additional duties in some locations as athletic director, headmaster and/or coach of basketball, track and wrestling at these seven schools: Dykes High School in Atlanta, Jefferson High School, Lee Academy in Alabama, Springwood Academy in Alabama, East Hall High School and North Hall High School in Gainesville, and the Greater Atlanta Christian School in Atlanta.

Even off the field, Coach developed a passionate group of fans for his mentoring and support of anyone whom he felt was in need in any way, whether financially, emotionally or educationally. As an example, he enabled a young man, Andrew Goudelock, to continue appearing in football games after he lost a leg to cancer. "Drew" eventually lost his battle to cancer at age 19, with the Loftons by his side to the end; Drew's mother, Katherine Goudelock Campbell, continues to be a close family friend.

Coach is survived by Ruby Jean, his soulmate for the last 62 years; their five sons and the spouses of Jim, Bill and Dick (Bonnie, Charlotte and Sharon, respectively); two brothers, Odie Mack and Franklin (and their wives, Lou and Ella, respectively); a sister, Jonelle King; 24 grandchildren; and a family that Lofton viewed as his adopted children and grandchildren, Sandra and Chris Nix, and their sons, Jeremy Andy and Charlie (married to Alesha, Bethany and Rachel, respectively).

Just before Thanksgiving 2014, the Loftons moved from their longtime house in Gainesville to Smoky Springs Retirement Community, where they enjoyed the warmly welcoming staff, residents and services.

A celebration of life service is being held Sunday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. in the main sanctuary of the church to which the Loftons currently belong, the First Baptist Church of Gainesville at 751 Green St. NW. Family visitation in the fellowship hall will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Eagle Ranch, a residential program to help youths, www.eagleranch.org.

Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com.

Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville, GA 30501, is in charge of arrangements.